4. Regards, or Best regards, can be used as the closing expression on a formal email.

Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2008 16:21:14 +0200 From: Algarve Sunshine Holidays <algsun@ash.com> Dear Mrs Beltran, Reservation no. AS01/9809 I am delighted to confirm your reservation with Algarve Sunshine Holidays for two weeks from Saturday 8 July to Friday 21 July inclusive. Your villa will be available from 2 pm and check-out is at 11 am on the day of departure. Your reservation number is AS01 /9809. Please quote this reservation number when you arrive at the reception desk at the Sunshine Villas. We look forward to welcoming you. Best regards, Frederick Vega Resort Manager

Other useful expressions

Making reference

With reference to your email of 7 February...

Thank you for your email of 7 February...

Explaining the reason for writing

I am writing to confirm / inform you that / apologise for/enquire about...

Apologising

I am sorry for any inconvenience caused by the delay on your recent flight...

I regret to tell you that we are fully booked for the dates...

Requesting

Please quote this reference number... I would be grateful if you could confirm...

Offering

I am pleased to offer you...

Referring to future contact

I look forward to hearing from you. We look forward to your stay at the ... hotel in the future. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information.

Referring to enclosed documents

I have enclosed / attached the timetable / your tickets / our brochure.

Supplementary reading social worker text 1

Introduction

Social workers provide advice, advocacy and support to people with personal and social problems. They also help with community and social issues.

Alternative Titles:

• Community Social Worker

• Youth Justice Social Worker

• Cultural Services Social Worker

• Care and Protection Social Worker

• Clinical Social Worker

Tasks and Duties:

Social workers

• work to advance the well-being of children, young people, their families or caregivers, and communities

• work to advance the well-being of adults facing personal and social problems

• talk with clients about their problems

• help people make decisions about their personal problems

• advise people on their rights and opportunities

• link people with community resources such as benefits and accommodation

• support people in crisis situations

• give advice on social problems

• use the law to protect vulnerable children and young people

• use the law to ensure that young people are held adjusted for their offences

• may specialize in one area of social work.

Nature of the work (1)

Social work is a profession for those with a strong desire to help improve people's lives. Social workers help people function the best way they can in their environment, deal with their relationships, and solve personal and family problems. Social workers often see clients who face a life-threatening disease or a social problem. These problems may include inadequate housing, unemployment, lack of job skills, financial distress, serious illness or disability, substance abuse, unwanted pregnancy, or anti-social behavior. Social workers also assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, including those involving child or spousal abuse. Through direct counseling, social workers help clients identify their concerns, consider effective solutions, and find reliable resources. Social workers typically consult and counsel clients and arrange for services that can help them. Often, they refer clients to specialists in services such as debt counseling, childcare or eldercare, public assistance, or alcohol or drug rehabilitation. Social workers then follow through with the client to assure that services are helpful and that clients make proper use of the services offered. Social workers may review eligibility requirements, help fill out forms and applications, visit clients on a regular basis, and provide support during crises.